The Stalin 12.
For more information, or for details on how to order, visit Jesse James Firearms Unlimited.
Overview
The Califas Nomad is an AR-style rifle that was specifically designed to flout all the asinine laws in anti-gun states like CA, NY, CT, NY, etc.
Motorcycle enthusiast and reality TV star Jesse James makes firearms. Turns out, they’re pretty rad. While he’s only been doing it for four years or so, he’s already established his own unmistakable panache. I’m having trouble articulating his flair exactly, but it’s somewhere on the spectrum between Mad Max and Bladerunner. Maybe, I’d call it “retro-futuristic.”
James brought two new firearms to SHOT, a Stalin 12 shotgun and a Califas Nomad AR-style rifle. Information on both was limited because they were built just prior to the show, but from what I could garner the Stalin 12 is a AK-pattern, 12-gauge shotgun with a folding and collapsible stock. Its receiver was milled in the USA, not stamped like other AK-pattern shotguns.
The Califas Nomad is an AR-style rifle that was specifically designed to flout all the asinine laws in anti-gun states like CA, NY, CT, NY, etc. With a standard grip instead of a pistol grip, a wood Remington 870 stock that is not collapsible the gun, presumably, wouldn’t violate a run-of-the-mill ban on so-called “assault weapons.” However, as pictured with the 10-plus round magazine one might run into trouble possessing one in one of those aforementioned states. As always, check your local and state laws before you make a purchase.
A look at the barrel.
Specs
Stalin 12
- AK-Pattern
- 12 Guage
- Collapsible Stock
- Milled Receiver
- Made in USA
- MSRP: $7,000
Califas Nomad
- 5.56 NATO
- California legal?
- Remington 870 Stock
- Made in USA
- MSRP: $3,500
Impression
As a machinist and artist, James is no slouch. That much is apparent in the guns he brings to SHOT each year. They are well-designed and solidly constructed.
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Don’t touch!
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The more CA-friendly model.
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My only reservation is with respect to reliability. How well do these high-end guns function? Are they simply safe queens? Modern-day wall art for the rich? Or would they actually have a place in the rotation for home defense? Would one of his guns be the one you would count when a couple of street toughs try to steal your property?
What are your thoughts?
There’s only one way to find out. That’s to get one in and put it through its paces. Hopefully, we’ll get an opportunity in the near future. We’ll keep you posted.
Price and Availability
Pricing for the Stalin 12 was in the neighborhood of $7,000, although that may be subject to change.
Pricing for the Califas Nomad is said to be around $3,500.
Another AR-patter rifle with suppressor.
Wall art or reliable firearm?
I like the skeletonized handle on this one.
For more information, or for details on how to order, visit Jesse James Firearms Unlimited.
Dear GunsAmerica,
You are out of touch with all these articles featuring these ridiculous, over the top, insanely priced firearms. Why don’t you get a freaking clue and start tuning in to what actual Americans are interested in?
Sincerely,
Gunny
Yup–7K for a shotgun is asinine even if rich IMO…I could bulk-buy 10-12 VEPR-12’s for that price absent any worries regarding beta-like R&D and overall unproven record…Not sure of the guy’s judgment ever since he cheated on Sandra Bullock ;)…
I am outraged! My mother and her family, and millions of others suffered at the behest of Stalin.
And this ignorant person names a weapon after him. I find that unAmerican, and very much sympathetic to STALIN.
Silly. All of them. Really silly.
……Maybe his California Hollywood friends want to buy them, not for the average American Hard worker!,……Perfect for Movie Props!!…..
Iv’e had the misfortune to work on a couple trucks built by Jessie that were shipped to a customer of mine. They looked great but mechanically, in my customers opinion, they were lacking judging by the amount of work we had to perform to make them drive-able. I like the shotgun, especially being machined and not stamped but I would not purchase one without an honest review from an owner. And that would be hard to come by because most people who pay allot for something rarely would admit the product is a disappointment.
I bought a Catamount Fury 1 and spent the time and money to mod it, stayed well under a 1000$. Has the look and feel of your AK and reliability of a Benelli. Great weapon. 7k$ for a “look alike” umm no thank you whom ever you think your name will enhance a firearm.
Also, while I’m not the customer for the Stalin 12, I appreciate the design and the art. Yes, Jesse James is an artist in his own right, and a good one despite his detractors. The Stalin would be cool to own just it’s own sake, but I would still be afraid to actually use it. Maybe if I had way more disposable income! Maybe, just maybe.
No practical purpose for these two! A 7000 dollar shotgun????? So if you use this weapon defeating some number of bad dudes intent on doing you harm, it’s gonna end up in a property room, and Lord only knows how long or what shape it will be returned in.
So from a strictly pragmatic view; no thanks! There are plenty of other shotguns for far less that will work just fine. Besides, think of all the other stuff you could buy with the rest of 6800 dollars. Just saying…
The “Chuck Schumer” Commemorative Rifle.
$7,000 for a shotgun? Artist or not, that’s F’n ridiculous — and placed in an AK frame. I’d just as soon buy a fancy assed Belgium Browning or Benelli shotgun if (and in my case “if” means never) was to shell out that kind of coin for a shotgun.
This is a useless article by GunsAmerica. We’ve seen many over priced guns presented here and ripped to shreds by readers (rightfully so). Why does this website keep advertising overpriced, impractical and unaffordable guns?
Why not more articles on new pistols (Glock), revolvers (Colt, Ruger), bolt rifles, shotguns, and levers (Henry)?
Media is paid for, at all levels. Take back this country!!
All you guys who say “I would never buy this ridiculous over-priced piece of crap?”
Got news for you. You ain’t Mr. James target demographic.
And those of you who refer to him as a douche-bag of one sort or another? More news. The dude is an artist, and artists frequently are “personalities,” and I doubt Mr. James gives a flyin’ flip what you think of him.
Im pretty sure Mr. James has no intention of becoming a firearms manufacturer with a product all of you would want, at a price you would be willing to pay.
Just take this stuff for what it is, and you are free to like it or not.
Whatever poop shoot! I would spend ridiculous amounts of money on guns but this is just over priced and over rated crap. Kind of like the over rated crap your mom dropped the moment you were born! Hahahaha na na na na boo boo stick your head in doo doo!
Jesse James did several interviews and presentations on his firearms. He wants to do for the gun world what he did for the motorcycle world. He is only going in another direction with his business. With most firearms taking 3 months to make they arent for me the average joe. You need to have disposable income for these or be a huge J.J. fanboy.
Yeah thanks for that. Your “Mr. James” can take this retarded shotgun and blow it right out of his artistic @$$.
for every ass there’s a seat
and a seat for every ass!
I sort of am attracted to the possible California friendly rifle. Having used a BAR and both the MI and the M14 I would have no problem with the 879 stock and old fashioned pistol grip. I might like a plate on the end that could be used as a support in the prone position. The style of this just attracts me and if they want to issue 10 round mags then so what I can change them out for 30 rounds. I would hope the price might come down though wealthy parties in the left state of our country will not flinch about such.
James isn’t ‘flouting’ anything.’ Flout means to defy, not comply, as he’s doing with this AR.
It also means to “mock” or show contempt for. I’d argue that with the Califas Nomad James is thumbing his nose at or mocking state laws that seek to ban AR-style rifles. It’s like saying, “You want to ban evil, scary, black rifles? Well, get a load of this!”
Hey S.H. – as long as you’re checking in, I gotta tell you your journalistic approach and preference for data over ideological tropes make your stuff the best on this site.
You guys are All pretty brave sitting behind your computers. Maybe you should write you comments imaging that he is sitting next to you. Your post would have a more appropriate and respectful tone. You disrespect yourselves when you disrespect others! I’ll bet you wouldn’t say that to his face.
Oh you bet I would say it to his face! My mom says I am super tuff.
Im guessing he thinks his name is going to get him a premium on these guns. I seriously doubt it. He might sell a couple to some die hard loser fans with too much money but anyone that has half a brain wouldn’t think of wasting their money in such a way. If i had $7000 to spend on a gun, it would probably be a 50 BMG or 338 LM . The shotgun looks cool but the ar15 with a wooden remington stock is pretty hideous. Yuck. And im not sure if he designed those suppressors on the other guns but those are damn ugly as well. I don’t see that business going anywhere.
He has got to be kidding ! If you are going to spend that kind of money ,,,, why not get a Ronnie Barrett Special ? Make the step Get a 50 cal … His high dollar motorcycles are beyond the average guys reach
LMAO…! 7K for an AK 12ga.??? HAHAHAHA…. Dude what are you smoking? Even your AR price is outrageous!
and if you buy one of these you won’t be able to afford to smoke it anymore.
The “Stalin-12”? Named after a sadistic dictator who is responsible for the genocide of millions of people. I wonder how well accepted a “Hitler” branded weapon would be…
Van, scrolling the comments and FINALLY saw someone who wrote what needed to be written: naming a firearm after the most prolific mass-murderer in human history. Just as moronic as the idiots wearing Che Guevara t-shirts. He could have honored the man who invented the design but no…. Love my country but hate having to share it with this ignoramus, obviously has ZERO knowledge of humankind’s history.
Give me a break. They’re both ugly and over priced. The chopper craze is over so I guess he had to do something. Lame.
Coming next, the Jesse James Hitler 7.92!
Unsurprisingly, the dude who faked a connection to his outlaw namesake* thinks it’s cool to name a firearm after a blood-thirsty tyrant.
*Wikipedia: “Eric James, president of the James Preservation Trust, which tracks claims of being a relative of the outlaw, says it cannot find a record of him in the family tree.”
Looks like Jesse James when full Ted Nugent. Never go full Ted Nugent.
well said. also my super rich maquilladora owning friends from monterrey spend their thousands on sakos and blasers. i think these guns cater to the uninitiated mark cubans of the world.
James shows up to be barely relevant, when it’s best he keep his unchecked ego and ability to be a legend in his own mind covered by some obnoxious tattoos and that fruit and nut California attitude. He has delusions of adequacy. If anyone has ever spent time around this walking talking obnoxious narcissist, one would understand why one ex-girlfriend of his stated that she “felt miserable without him…it’s almost like having him there.”
James is basically a shiver looking for a spine to run up… and still loves nature despite providing him with his acerbic caustic obnoxious megalomaniac sociopathic personality. His severe personality disorder shows up after a few tortuous hours of having to be in his presence. Remember that some cause happiness wherever they go; some whenever they go.
The insane are able to be creative. Their work shows in their overdone plagiarized creations, and the hyper-inflated price they charge matches their inflated opinion of themselves.
My criticism of psycho James comes from having to spend an entire day with him (not my choice, my job had me being his event coordinator…welcome to hell…we were warned he was crude and rude and…”weird”) at an event that he was invited to highlight and was paid to attend. If there is a male adult version of a “Jewish Princess”…he is it. If there is a male version of a constant male menstrual period with the “mood” that accompanies it…he is it. If there’s another version of a serious Don Rickles with nasty insults and vicious mean attitudes towards those around him…he is it. Jesse James is a flaming gaping chrome plated -sshole. Jesse James is what we in the south call “ain’t right”……….and he deservedly needs to have someone kick his ass to within an inch of his life… and explain to him why he’s getting his -ss kicked…..while it’s happening.
Oooh! Oooh! Do Betty White next. I hear she’s a real diva.
Ok, that gave me a good laugh. Thanks for helping me to start my day with a smile!
Did anyone tell you that he is Alex Jones neighbor ? LOL… ” Nailed It ” … His days of being Relevant are long over ( personally having been Sourced to His Highness as personal security detail ) …
Thanks for the interesting article. I’ve never seen JJ’s show and am only vaguely aware of who he is. From the article, I gather he is a machinist of some skill. That said, who would possibly spend 7 gs on a shotgun or $3,500 on an AR? I deduce that JJ creates these guns for attention not for the market.
I agree totally, no way am I spending 7000.00 dollars on a shotgun. Or 3000.00 + on an AR. No matter who makes them
The Origin-12 by Fostech is only $2600.00, but still pricely… in my opinion. I’ve put my $$ into Saigas that have been worked by Saiga Custom in NC. At least we still live in a country where we can buy guns like these (except CA, MA, IL, HI, CT, MD, NJ, and wherever else the commies proliferate).
$7,000.00 MSRP….seriously…please…I don’t care who is making it that’s absurd…
Looks like you just need to add a few micro holes in the barrel inside that covered part of the shot gun to suppress it!
What is the db of your suppressors ? What is the weight of your guns ? I am sure they will appear in Hollywood movie ,since they have that bad to the bone look !
I can’t help it ….. Think Steven Segal’s ” Sniper Rifle ” ..
HOLLY WEIRD ! …. LOL …!
Awesome. Thanks Jesse James
These firearms are all “form over function”. Highly stylized and over-priced, just like everything that Jesse James makes.
No AK pattern firearm should ever be more than $1000. Unless of course, it’s a Molot VEPR. They’re allowed. kek
So now mister irrelevant, switches from one dimensional hard tail overpriced scooters to bling bling safe princesses, overpriced of course. And some idiots will fall for the ruse.
“A sucker is borne every minute”
“A fool and his money are soon parted”
I never cared for Jesse’s bikes, not my style. But some do, and to each their own.
Now, We’re gonna make you the resident ‘old Codger’, mainly because of your use of the word “idiots”, to reference those whom you don’t understand, and have no empathy for.
I like it for one reason, his “flouting” of the Lefties and their idiotic ideas.
On that reason alone, you should have some empathy.
Perhaps you missed it?
Save it for someone that shives a get .
Aww, get your wittle feelwings hurt???
So besides being an idiot you also don’t score well on reading comprehension I see.
While I don’t normally sound off on here, this article brought it out in me. I won’t mention anything about the JJ rifle as it doesn’t interest me in the slightest. My gripe is with the shotgun…..$7,000?!?!? WTF??? For that kind of money it better give me BJ’s anytime I want as well as wash my truck on demand!
I’m sorry, I know it’s made by Jesse James…..but c’mon, he’s just using his name, (notoriety), in order to jack the price up on something that shouldn’t cost anything more than $1,500 IMHO. I’m sure there will be those that buy one just so they can say they own one of his creations…..but not me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of his motorcycles that he’s made and I give him credit, he does put out some very cool looking bikes, (if you’re looking for a bar to bar/boulevard cruiser). When it comes to long range riding though, they’re really not set up for any sort of comfort. Which is why most that do manage to be able to afford one, trailer it to where they are going, then pull it out of the trailer and ride the final few miles to their destination to make it “look” as if they road it the entire route.
Whatever, to each their own, as I mentioned about the shotgun….just not for me. I can buy a KSG AND a Saiga 12gauge and both of them together won’t cost anywhere close to $7,000!
Just my 2 cents…Cheers!